안전놀이터South Korean national team goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo, 32, has signed a four-year contract extension with Ulsan Hyundai.
“Cho Hyun-woo, who joined Ulsan as a free agent in January 2020, will play for Ulsan as a goalkeeper for a total of eight years, including four years in the past and four years in the future,” the club said on 11 November.
Living up to his nickname of ‘Light Hyun-woo’, Cho has been a part of the team’s victories and dramatic moments over the past four years with his dazzling saves. In particular, Cho has established himself as one of the league’s leading goalkeepers, being named among the ‘Best 11’ by position at the K League Year-End Awards in each of the three seasons since joining Ulsan. He also won the all-league and all-time appearance titles in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, recognising his contribution to the team and his strict self-care. Most notably, Cho played a silent and steady role in Ulsan’s 12 clean sheets in the K League 2022 season, which saw the club lift the title for the first time in 17 years.
Between the league, cup competitions and the national team, Cho Hyun-woo has been making a name for himself, his team and his country. After conceding just 33 goals in 36 games in the 2022 season to keep his goals-against average below one per game, Cho Hyun-woo has already kept his average at exactly one this season, having conceded just 21 goals in 21 league games. He has also kept a total of seven clean sheets in 21 league games this season, helping the team to a commanding lead at the top of the table. His seven clean sheets in 21 games is the most by any goalkeeper in the K League this season, and he has also been above the league average in the passing stats, which have been criticised as a weakness. Cho Hyun-woo has been a key part of Ulsan’s build-up play, which is characterised by organised play from the back. Through 21 league rounds, Cho has a 100 per cent success rate on short passes (league average 98.7 per cent) and a 98.9 per cent success rate on medium passes (league average 97.7 per cent). In particular, he is becoming a near-perfect goalkeeper with a 51.4 per cent success rate on long-distance passes, far exceeding the league average of 38.7 per cent.
After his thrilling save in the East Coast Derby against Pohang Steelers in Round 21, Cho said at the post-match press conference, “I think I still have a lot to work on. I won’t be complacent,” he said, showing his humility and pursuit of perfection, leading fans and officials to expect more from him.
After eight years with Ulsan, Hyun-woo said, “I am very lucky to be able to spend more time in Ulsan with my family and fans who are like family. I will repay the faith for the rest of my career,” he said of his extension.
Meanwhile, Ulsan will hold a press conference to announce Cho Hyun-woo’s extension at the end of the 22nd round of the Hana One Q K League 1 against Incheon United at Munsu Football Stadium on 12 December at 7pm.